CWG 4 Days To Go: Now, CWG Village Is ‘World-Class’?

After all the recent controversies over hygiene and cleanliness issues at the CWG Games Village, ANI reports say Secretary General of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Lalit Bhanot has claimed that it is clean now and of world class.

According to IANS, around 1,150 athletes and officials, including 58 from Pakistan, are to arrive at the Commonwealth Games Village today. With 146 members, the Australian contingent will be the largest. It will include participants in table tennis, athletics, swimming, tennis and badminton.

Keeping that in mind, The Indian Express reports that civic workers are clocking more than 12 hours cleaning up basements in the Games Village where water has accumulated because of its proximity to the Yamuna to ensure the threat from dengue is under control.

dedicated lanes for CWG in Delhi will now be extended to Major Dhayan Chand Hockey Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from the Games Village. To facilitate Commonwealth Games-related traffic, Delhi Traffic Police has been maintaining dedicated Games Lane from Games Village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Games Family hotels from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm since September 26.

E-mail virus attacks NASA server !!

An e-mail virus has attacked servers across the world, including those at NASA and Google, and possibly the US internal security department office.

The virus, called 'here you have' or 'VBMania', is a simple Trojan Horse that arrives in your inbox with the odd-but-suggestive subject line 'here you have', the Fox News said Saturday.

The body reads 'This is The Document I told you about, you can find it Here' or 'This is The Free Download Sex Movies, you can find it Here'.

The Internet Storm Center, a free analysis and warning service that tracks malicious internet activity, reported that the initial application that generated the vast cloud of spam clogging servers had been taken down, which should limit the spread of the virus Friday.

However, the centre warned: 'New variants may well follow.'

Leading virus monitors such as McAfee Labs and Symantec are currently investigating the threat, and have already updated their website to push security products that could protect users.

'Stop or remove the virus with Norton Internet Security 2011,' advised Symantec on its site Friday morning. The security companies describe 'here you have' as especially challenging to monitor, since the virus may already have replicated into several new forms.

In addition to a variety of major corporations, the virus appeared to take down internal servers at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Thursday. Sources said that some DHS agencies that run on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement server crashed and were mostly disabled throughout Thursday.

But US officials denied that issues with its servers were related to the virus, saying that 'DHS was not among the agencies that were affected'.

'It's a phishing attack -- when you click on the link in an e-mail it goes into the address book. It was clogging a bunch of e-mail and that's it

CWG has a new theme song !!

AS OSCAR - winning musician A. R. Rahman's official theme song for the Delhi Commonwealth Games draws more brickbats than bouquets, the state government on Thursday unveiled its own song for the event.

Punjabi pop singer Daler Mehndi has laced the fastpaced song titled Khel Le with Bhangra beats that usually hit the right note in north India.

He unveiled the song on Thursday, performing live in front of chief minister Sheila Dikshit and top bureaucrats at a function where the government launched its revamped tourism website.

"I was asked to prepare the song two-three days back. I have made a lot of effort in this short time and I hope people like this song," Mehndi said.

Several people, including Commonwealth Games executive board member V. K. Malhotra, had criticised Rahman's song, India Bula Liya , for being slow paced.

Rahman was paid over '5 crore for composing the official theme song. But while releasing his song, Mehndi said he made the song "free of cost for India". Before unveiling the song, Dikshit launched a 24-hour telephone help centre for all kinds of information about Delhi and a tourism website providing a range of services.

"Delhi ranks number one in foreign tourist arrivals. This makes it vital for it to have a robust tourist guidance system in place," Dikshit said.

She said the online and phone facility (telephone number '1280') would make Delhirelated information and services more accessible.

Tourists can download thematic city maps, information brochures and informative videos to plan their trip better.

Information on hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, transport services, currency converter and weather updates besides detailed information on the city's heritage, will be available at the click of a mouse.

More than troops, Chinese projects in PoK worry India !!

While India has independently confirmed that the presence of Chinese troops in Gilgit and Baltistan is a bit exaggerated in terms of numbers, the real concern here is on the number of projects and works China has undertaken in those areas and in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). And the footprint is only growing larger.

At last count, South Block had noticed at least 17 confirmed projects in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

These constitute more than half the Chinese projects in areas under Pakistan's control, making it a cause of major concern because of the disputed status of the areas. At present, according to government inputs, 122 Chinese companies are active in Pakistan, and most of them are also involved in projects in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan areas.

China, sources said, has suddenly increased its involvement in almost every key sector, and has virtually taken upon itself the responsibility of building basic infrastructure in these areas. The list of projects range from providing mobile connectivity services to building power projects, highways and rail links.

Karakoram Highway upgradation: The China Road and Bridge Corporation has taken up this project and will give preferential credit of $327 million through its Exim Bank in what is a $491-million project. Two other MoUs on double-laning of the Karakoram Highway as well as widening of the Jaglot-Skardu road have also been signed.

Pakistan-China rail link: This is a 750 km-long rail link between Havelian and the Khunjerab Pass along the Karakoram Highway. While feasibility studies are on for this project, Pakistan and China have agreed to establish a joint venture between Pakistan Railways and Dongfang Electric Corporation to initially run only freight trains on this route.

Jhelum Bridge: Pakistan has awarded a Rs 1.2 billion contract to a Chinese state company for constructing a major bridge on River Jhelum at Dhangali in Mirpur District.

Five bailey bridges on Gilgit-Skardu Road: Xinjiang Road and Bridge Construction Company of China is replacing five existing bailey bridges on the 167-km long, strategically important Gilgit-Skardu road.

Mining: A Chinese company called MCC Resources Development Company Ltd has been allowed to start a mineral exploration exercise in these areas. The Gilgit-Baltistan government has given a reconnaissance licence to the company. Pakistan Surpass Mining Company, which is subsidiary of China's Xinjiang Surpass Mining Company Ltd, has submitted a $6 million investment proposal for mining in those areas. It plans to set up a hydropower station and Molybdenum processing plant in Chupurshan Valley.

Sust Dry Port: A joint venture named Pak-China Sust Port Company is managing the Sust dry port, 200 km from Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway. Opened four years ago, the Chinese side is the principal stakeholder in the JV.

Mobile communication links: China Mobile is providing mobile services in PoK and certain areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. The company has major plans to set up more towers and expand coverage.

Diamer-Bhasha Dam: China is said to have agreed to finance this $11.3-billion 4500-MW project. Also, it has agreed to provide the services of the China Three Gorges Project Corporation for the construction of the dam. Sinihydro has show interest in the development of the project.

Magla dam raising project: A joint venture comprising China International Water and Electric Corporation and some Pakistan companies have almost completed this project. Once operational, the average annual water availability for irrigation will increase by near 3 million acre feet.

Neelum-Jhelum hydro-power project: China Gezhouba Water and Power Corporation, which was part of the Three Gorges project, has formed a consortium and taken up this 969 MW project too in Muzaffarabad district. Keen on completing this project before the Kishengaga project on the Indian side, Pakistan has obtained a commitment from the consortium that the work will be finished in eight years. Meanwhile, it has raised objections and gone for arbitration with India on the Kishenganga project under Indus Waters Treaty provisions.

Besides these, China has taken up at least four other hydropower projects in these areas-Bhunji project in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kohala project (1100 MW), Naltar project and then smaller projects in places like Phendar, Harpo and Yurlbo.

Already, China has provided a soft loan of $300 million to Pakistan for reconstruction and rehabilitation works in the areas as follow-up on relief for the earthquake. Following the recent floods, it has taken up the task to get the Karakoram Highway back on track. Many of its military personnel are there for relief work and it has so far given aid of $9 million which is likely to increase.

Countdown 28 Days to CWG

With just 28 days to go for the Commonwealth Games, the cyclists of the Indian team are yet to get their all important equipment. The decks have been cleared for the import of 40 high quality cycles which will be arriving in 10 days – barely few weeks before the Games, a senior functionary of the Cycling Federation of India said.

Meanwhile, World No.3 women’s singles badminton star Saina Nehwal, one of the ambassadors of the Commonwealth Games, raised concerns about the lack of preparedness, including the incomplete stadiums. But shortly she decided to tone down her criticism. Read more


Each venue of Commonwealth Games will have a dedicated system to forecast weather conditions in that particular region, courtesy the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office in the national capital is planning to provide athletes and organisers forecast for a period ranging from one hour to five days. More


Moreover, at least two stadia as well as parts of the main sports venue, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, are yet to get completion certificates from civic authorities. However, eight venues have got occupancy certificates from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), while the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has given the same to three venues.

Straying into exclusive CWG 2010 Games lanes to attract Rs 2,000 fine

Deliberate straying into lanes exclusively marked for Commonwealth Games vehicles on capital's roads will attract a fine of Rs 2,000.

A notification to invoke the fine or impound vehicles of those entering the Games lane will be issued in a day or two by the Lt Governor''s office and is likely to come into effect on September 20.

"We have requested that this be implemented from September 20. We are awaiting the notification," Ajay Chadda, Special Commissioner (Traffic), told reporters here. Those found "deliberately violating" the rule will be penalised. However, if someone accidentally strays into the lane, he may be spared.

"All road users are expected to maintain the sanctity of the dedicated lane. They should avoid getting into the dedicated lane and if inadvertently they enter the lane, they should immediately come out of it," Chadda said. He said the dedicated lane is part of the contract entered into by the host city and Commonwealth Games Federation.

Chadda said on the first two days, traffic police may not invoke penal provisions so as to educate people about the exclusive lane for the Games, scheduled to be held here from October 3 to 14. "There will be zero tolerance towards violations. Our motto is zero tolerance and maximum prosecution," he said.

"The extreme left lanes of the roads from Games Village to various venues and the airport will be designated as exclusive Games lanes," Chadha said. In case of six-lane roads, other lanes may also be used, he said. Initially, the restrictions on Games lanes will be operational during night time only as international flights carrying athletes are scheduled during those hours.

Though the route from Games Village to competition venues and airport has a dedicated lane, there will be no such facility for practice venues. Chadda said there will be no special lanes for roads leading to practice venues but motorcycle patrols will lead the convoys of athletes.

The lane may be thrown open for public when no Games vehicle is scheduled to use it, he said. Police personnel will be deployed along the routes to check any violation. Regular trials will be held on the lanes from tomorrow, Chadha said.

People have been advised to avoid as far as possible CWG lanes in general and Safdurjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Siri Fort Road, Harsukh Marg, Purana Quila Road and Mother Teresa Crescent Road in particular as these roads are having two lanes in one carriage way and one lane of it is already reserved for Games related traffic.

source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20100903/381/tsp-straying-into-exclusive-games-lanes.html

Here's how couples cope with divorce

How you cope with your divorce is revealed by how you talk about it than what you say about it, says a new study.

University of Arizona researchers found that people in the midst of a divorce typically reveal how they are handling things by how they speak.

The team recruited couples, which had recently separated, and a set of students to judge their reactions on questionnaires, audio recordings, stream-of-consciousness thoughts and feelings about the participants' former partners and relationships.

The judges were divided into two groups – one that only read transcripts and the other, which heard the recordings. Both groups had to evaluate the ability of the subjects to control their emotions, cope with their separations, and handle stress and negative aspects of post-separation life and the subjects' thoughts about the relationship.

Ashley Mason found that the judges who listened to the sound clips were more likely to accurately predict how well or not well the subject was coping with the process of separation.

"It's important to know that it is not about what people are saying. It's how they're saying it that is tipping us off to how they're doing, and more importantly, how they're going to do," Mason said.

"Do I need to call more often or provide more social support? Should I recommend psychotherapy? Not everyone has an organized social support system, and these data shed light on how we interpret what others need from us."

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Heres-how-couples-cope-with-divorce/articleshow/6491313.cms

The World's Highest-Paid Tennis Players

Male and female athletes typically play for vastly different sums of money in their respective sports. Michelle Wie pocketed $337,500 for her second career LPGA victory last weekend, while Matt Kuchar's paycheck was $1.35 million for claiming the Barclays men's golf event on Sunday. The best-paid players in the WNBA make $100,000 per season on the court, while men's salaries can reach $23 million.

Tennis is different though. The men's and women's US Open champion will each earn $1.7 million for the title. The US Open has paid equal prize money the past 38 years, but credit Venus Williams who fought for equal pay at Wimbledon which finally acquiesced in 2007 as did the French Open.

Our look at the highest-paid tennis players typifies this kind of equality in the game. Half of the top 10 are men, and half are women. Leading the pack is Roger Federer who is light years ahead of anyone else thanks to his longtime dominance on the court and 10 lucrative sponsorship deals with the likes of Nike, Wilson, Gillette and Mercedes-Benz. The world's No. 2 ranked player earned $43 million by our count over the past 12 months.

Several of these athletes showed up on our lists of the highest-paid athletes and female athletes this summer. In all cases for incomes we include: prize money, endorsements, exhibitions and appearance fees over the past 12 months without taxes or agent's fees deducted.

As US Open play kicks off play this week a few headliners will be on the sidelines including Serena Williams (No. 4 on our list with $20 million) and Justine Henin (not on the list) who have won a combined 22 Grand Slam singles titles. The favorite in their absence is Kim Clijsters who captured last year's title after a two year retirement where she gave birth to a daughter.

Maria Sharapova will also be there, seeded 14th. And while she's no longer a favorite to win the Open, when it comes to money, she's already champion, hauling in $24.5 million over the last year thanks to rich sponsors like Nike, Prince, and Tiffany, making her the second-highest paid player in tennis and the best-paid female athlete in the world.

Sharapova inked an eight-year contract extension with Nike this year that could be worth as much as $70 million thanks to royalties from her own tennis line and a line of bags and shoes through Nike subsidiary Cole-Haan.

The men's side is missing last year's champ Juan Martin del Potro. The men's tourney still features the sport's two heavyweights Roger Federer and Roger Nadal who have captured 20 of the past 22 Grand Slams. Nadal overtook Federer this year on the court as the top-ranked player but financially Federer earns twice as much as his rival.

There was a time when Federer was an underappreciated champion who played with a below-market value Nike deal and had little cachet in the U.S. which affected his endorsements. Those days are over. Despite his recent on-court problems, Federer is widely celebrated as one of the greatest players to ever swing a racket. He re-signed with Nike in 2008 for a 10-year that is the most lucrative endorsement deal in tennis worth more than $10 million annually.

Nadal pulled in $21 million over the past year with $5.6 million in prize money and the rest from endorsements and appearance fees. He ranks No. 3 on our list. Nadal's biggest endorsement deal is with Nike, which has tried to make money on Nadal by moving him out of his customary clamdiggers and sleeveless shirts. Nadal has adjusted to his new threads as he's racked up five tourney wins this year and captured the top ranking after struggling with injuries in 2009. Nadal also counts Kia Motor, Babolat and several Spanish companies as sponsors.

One player always trying new things with her apparel line is Venus Williams who earned $15 million over the past year, good for No. 5 on our list. Her history of apparel sponsors has included Puma, Nike, Reebok and her own Eleven brand. Her latest deal is with Polo Ralph Lauren where the two will produce a co-branded dress for sale on-site at the Open. If successful, the relationship could blossom into something more permanent.

The shoe and apparel deal is almost always the largest endorsement for the top players in tennis. The value of these deals can rise dramatically based on bonuses for tournaments won and year-end rankings. As in most sports Nike is the king in tennis when it comes to signing the best (and most expensive) talent. It has deals with our four highest-paid athletes who have combined for 40 Grand Slam singles titles.

Aliens exist but are yet to visit Earth !!

Extra-terrestrial beings do exist but they have not yet come to visit our planet, and the best way to communicate with aliens is to send radio signals, a top Chinese official said Tuesday.

Zhu Jin, curator of the Beijing Planetarium, said aliens are likely to be present on some planets. Since there are about one trillion planets going around fixed stars, the possibility of the earth being the only planet with living creatures was 'too slim to be true', China Daily reported.

But as to reports of sighting of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), Zhu said they cannot be true.

Some UFOs were proved to be planes, kites or other normal objects, and many weird situations can be re-demonstrated and re-created, he said.

Zhu said the distance the Voyager 1 spacecraft has travelled in the past 33 years only accounts for one-thousandth of the solar system's reach. It will take 10,000 years for human beings to visit planets outside the solar system.

So, if aliens living in a faraway planet have a similar level of intelligence as human beings, it was impossible for them to travel to earth.

Source:- http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100831/860/ttc-aliens-exist-but-are-yet-to-visit-ea_1.html

A.R Rahman to recompose his CWG song?

His romance with the West may be peaking, but AR Rahman's Indian run seems to have run into a bit of rough weather. His theme track for the Commonwealth Games (CWG) has not gone down well with both fans and politicians.

While the song's online popularity is nowhere near that of Shakira's Waka Waka, which he had famously claimed his tune would surpass, politicians and CWG officials now want the Rs 5 crore-track "recomposed".

Swagatham aka Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto is a mid-tempo song sung by Rahman with distortion guitars, bhangra beats, very 70's style sitar riffs and a bit of English rap thrown in.

However, the composition, which critics say has neither the pace nor the punch of Waka Waka, or the rousing quality of Maa Tujhe Salaam, has disappointed.

Ever since he posted links to the tracks on his social networking pages, Rahman has been flooded with unsavoury comments. "We expected something better," is the general refrain while others have been kind enough to say, "It will grow on you."

Though experts say with more promotional activities the track it is likely to pick up, the CWG committee is unhappy with the result. Soon after the launch of the track on August 28, Vijaykumar Malhotra, board member of CWG organising committee (OC) claimed, "We had expected a better song from a composer of Rahman's status. He has given some very good songs like Maa Tujhe Salaam but this song is not that impressive."

Former sports minister Shahnawaz Hussain said, "I respect Rahman for what he has achieved but the track simply does not excite me.

No one in the OC likes it except perhaps Suresh Kalmadi. It is nowhere close to Waka Waka and has failed to lift the sagging spirits of the CWG."

Hussain said he was provoked to demand a re-composition of the theme track only because Lalit Bhanot, organising secretary of the CWG kept insisting that people would begin liking Swagatham if they keep listening to it. "Either it is good music or bad. There is no middle way to evaluate the appeal of a Rs 5 crore track, he can surely re-compose it," said the Bhagalpur MP.

At the same Delhi's political circuit is buzzing with questions over why Rahman was given the sole responsibility to compose the theme track. "Not all Rahman scores become a hit, do they?" say sources requesting anonymity.

Incidentally, the launch of the theme song was delayed as the OC had asked Rahman to make changes. "I think it won't be good to release the theme song without making the necessary changes," Rahman had earlier said.

Veteran jazz musician Louis Banks who has composed several theme tracks for popular shows and events, says, "Rahman's work has always been controversial. But if you are truly inspired, it takes ten minutes to compose a tune. Given that it took him six months to compose it, I guess something must have gone wrong somewhere !"

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/Rahman-to-recompose-his-CWG-song/articleshow/6472471.cms